Sleep Apnea Treatment – Fort Worth, TX
Stop Snoring & Boost Your Overall Health
When you wake up from what should feel like a good night of rest, do you feel groggy and still have a headache? It’s estimated that over 22 million people in the nation suffer from sleep apnea. Most of those cases go undiagnosed due to the fact that they occur at night. Without the proper timely treatment, patients with this sleeping condition can notice that their daily lives are impacted as well as their health. To learn more about sleep apnea treatment in Fort Worth, we invite you to contact our dental office today!
Why Choose Drennan Family Dentistry for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Custom Tailored Sleep Apnea Treatment
- Great for CPAP-Intolerant Patients
- Eliminate Morning Headaches & Fatigue
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea that impacts patients. It occurs when the airway becomes obstructed, limiting airflow as you sleep. This ultimately causes symptoms like loud, chronic snoring, as well as waking up gasping for air due to your brain signaling your body that it’s not receiving enough oxygen. Over time, sleep apnea can impact not only your energy levels, but also your overall health.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Although it may seem like you slept for a full eight hours, if you have sleep apnea, you likely had several episodes throughout the night that prevented you from reaching deep sleep. Without a good night of rest, your body isn’t able to properly restore itself. Over time, this could lead to an increased risk of several health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke, if your sleeping condition isn’t addressed. With sleep apnea treatment in Fort Worth, our team can make sure that your airways stay un-obstructed, allowing you to get the rest your body needs to stay healthy.
How Does Oral Appliance Treatment Work?
Do you currently use a CPAP machine to treat your sleep apnea? Or have you gone undiagnosed for too long and want to take the first steps towards figuring out what’s causing your daytime fatigue? Oral appliance treatment is ideal for CPAP-intolerant patients or those who want a simple, noise-free on-the-go appliance. It’s worn as you sleep and customized to hold the airway open to prevent obstruction, allow ample airflow, and minimize snoring.
The best way to learn whether oral appliance treatment is right for you is to schedule a consultation with our team at Drennan Family Dentistry today. If you already have an obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis, our team can help you learn whether OAT is right for you.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
Does everyone who snores have sleep apnea?
While snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, not everyone who snores has the condition. Only a qualified sleep doctor can make an authoritative determination as to whether a person has sleep apnea or not, and it affects about 20% of the adult population of the United States. If our dentist suspects that you have sleep apnea, we will refer you to an appropriate specialist who can evaluate the issue. If you receive a positive diagnosis, the team at Drennan Family Dentistry will be happy to help you find a suitable solution to the problem. We are proud to offer non-invasive and comfortable oral appliances designed to gently hold your airway open when you rest.
Who is most at risk for sleep apnea?
Demographic groups with higher risks of sleep apnea include:
- Men
- Pregnant and post-menopausal women
- Those with untreated tongue-ties
- People who are overweight
Will my sleep apnea go away if I lose weight?
Excessive weight is a common risk factor for sleep apnea because it increases the mass of fat deposits around the neck and throat. When the muscles in the neck relax during sleep, this extra tissue can place additional pressure on the airway and inhibit the patient’s ability to breathe. Losing weight can reduce or possibly eliminate a patient’s sleep apnea symptoms in some cases. However, it is possible for the condition to persist after losing weight, so it may be best to receive a sleep test from a qualified doctor if you still aren’t sleeping well.
Are there home remedies for sleep apnea?
The team at Drennan Family Dentistry will be happy to fit a sleep apnea patient with a customized oral appliance designed to help them breathe easily when they rest. However, you may be able manage your symptoms until you receive your device with home remedies like:
- Using a weighted blanket: Many patients report that having heavier covers on their beds makes it easier to sleep properly.
- Trying aromatic oils: While this method has not been scientifically proven, many patients hold that the pleasant scent of lavender oil makes it easier to sleep.
- Regular exercise: Working out at least several days a week will teach your respiratory and cardiovascular systems to work more efficiently. It will also make you tired, which makes sleeping easier.
- Propping your head up: Sleeping in a recliner or elevating your head with cushions or pillows will allow gravity to pull the tissue around your neck away from your windpipe while you rest, which can significantly reduce your sleep apnea symptoms.
